KINGSTON, Jamaica – In a dazzling display of athletic excellence and national pride, Roje Stona and Shanieka Ricketts were crowned the 2024 RJRGLEANER Sports Foundation’s Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year.
The glitzy ceremony, held at The Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, celebrated their monumental achievements, cementing their status as Jamaican sporting icons.
Stona’s golden legacy
Dominating the men’s category, Roje Stona clinched the Sportsman of the Year title with an awe-inspiring season highlighted by historic milestones. Stona’s crowning glory came at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where he shattered records to claim Jamaica’s first-ever gold medal in a throwing event.
His jaw-dropping throw of 70 meters not only secured the top spot but also obliterated the Olympic record of 69.97m, set moments earlier by silver medalist Mykolas Alekna of Lithuania. Reflecting on his triumph, Stona said, “This gold medal is for Jamaica—it’s for every aspiring athlete who dares to dream big.”
Beyond track and field, Stona’s exceptional athleticism caught the attention of the National Football League (NFL). Following training stints with the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints, he earned a spot in the prestigious NFL International Player Programme class of 2025, underscoring his versatility as an elite athlete.
Adding to his accolades, Stona also took home the People’s Choice Performance of the Year Award for his record-breaking Olympic throw, a moment etched in Jamaican sporting history.
Shanieka Ricketts soars to triple jump greatness
On the women’s side, Shanieka Ricketts solidified her place among Jamaica’s all-time greats in the triple jump. Her sixth national title and an electrifying leap of 14.87m secured her a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, marking her first-ever podium finish at the Games.
“This award is a testament to perseverance and the incredible support of my team and family,” Ricketts shared during her acceptance speech.
Kishane Thompson, the nation’s new sprint sensation, was the runner-up for Sportsman of the Year. Thompson’s meteoric rise included a blistering 9.77 seconds in the 100m, propelling him into the all-time top 10. At the Paris Olympics, Thompson narrowly missed gold, losing to American Noah Lyles by an agonizing five-thousandths of a second.
In the women’s category, Rushell Clayton claimed runner-up honors after a stellar season in the 400m hurdles. Her personal best of 52.51 seconds not only earned her a national title but also placed her as the second-fastest Jamaican ever in the event, trailing only Melaine Walker’s legendary national record.
The star-studded awards night served as a fitting celebration of Jamaica’s unparalleled athletic talent, showcasing achievements that continue to inspire the nation and the world. As Stona and Ricketts bask in their well-deserved recognition, their journeys are a testament to Jamaica’s enduring legacy of sporting excellence.
